The health and safety of the Club’s players, personnel and spectators is the Club’s most important priority and overrides any other consideration including winning games and finals.

There may be occasions during the season when injuries occur.

In order to best manage these injuries, and the welfare of our players, this policy has been developed by Ferntree Gully Eagles Junior Football club

Acknowledgement of the more conservative injury management of U8-U17 in comparison with Senior club players due to younger ages.

RECOMMENDATIONS

AFL Requirements for matches and training

Level

Youth U11 – U17

Auskick/Junior 5-10

MATCH

Match Recommended

Trainer

Trainer

Minimum

Trainer

Current First Aid Training

TRAINING

Match Recommended

Trainer

Trainer

Minimum

Trainer

Current First Aid Training

Under 8, 9 and Under 10 teams must have one or more Trainers with a minimum Level 2 First Aid qualification.

Under 11 to 15 teams must have one or more Trainers with a minimum Level 1 Sports Trainer qualification.

Under 11 to 15 teams competing in finals must have two Trainers one of which must hold a minimum Level 1 Sports Trainer qualification.

Under 17 and 18 teams must have two Trainers, both of whom must hold a Level 1 Sports Trainer qualification or higher.

Medical Notification:

At the start of the season each player must submit a club medical form.

The player (or parents) must advise of any conditions that would place the player at risk or could impede his/her ability to participate.

The player medical forms are retained by the team trainer and destroyed at the end of the season.

Any player who is sent to a hospital or GP for treatment, as a result of an incident at a game or training must provide a medical certificate stating that they are fit to play, prior to resuming training / playing.

All injuries are to be reported to the Trainer in the first instance.

If the Coach or Trainer is concerned about a player’s medical status they may require the player to provide a medical certificate stating that they are fit to play, prior to resuming training / playing.

Medical Clearances:

The requirement for medical clearances is about ensuring that players seek medical attention for conditions that may cause them further serious health problems in the long term.

For certain injuries and illnesses, a player will not be permitted to return to training or participate in any further games until a medical clearance is made by a Doctor, Physiotherapist, Chiropractor, Osteopath, Dentist or Psychologist (As AHPRA guidelines) and the paperwork has been provided to the Coach and/or Team Manager.

Conditions where a medical clearance is required are:

Any form of cardiac (heart condition)

Hypertension (history of high blood pressure)

Broken bones of any sort

Significant soft tissue injuries (where a player has not recovered to a playing capacity one-week post injury)

Any form of concussion

Any form of unconsciousness, no matter how brief

Any form of potential cervical (neck) injury

Repeated episodes of illness of and already diagnosed medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and epilepsy

Any injury involving the eye itself

Any player recovering from a significant illness, such as:- Chicken pox, Measles, Whooping cough, Glandular fever, Pneumonia, any form of influenza where it has caused the player to miss games and training greater than one week, any immune depressed conditions.

The medical clearance/certificate should state that “The player is fit to return to Football”.

The above list is not exhaustive, and a common-sense approach will be used when requesting a medical clearance.

Many of the above conditions can be made worse by physical activity and cause the player/s further illness or discomfort.

Some medical conditions can also be contagious and pose a risk to other players and coaching staff.

The medical clearance may also be subject to conditions attached by the doctor/physio for example restricting the player to only light training and no games or player is only permitted to play x amount of minutes etc.

Coaches will be guided by these recommendations.

Return to Play The return to play will be at the discretion of the Coach and Trainers. Once a medical clearance has been provided, the Coach/Club and Trainer may be required to confirm the player’s fitness to resume training or participation in game play.

Injuries :

All teams must have a qualified Trainer.

At least one parent or guardian of each child is recommended to remain at training and during the games, to attend to any off site medical attention that their child may need.

During games, in the event of an injury or injury/health concern, other Club personnel including coaches and assistant coaches are to be guided by the Trainer and the player’s parents/guardian concerning the player’s capacity to return to play the game. Final decision concerning this issue is ultimately be made by the Trainer (taking conservative option) in liaison with parent/guardian.

Trainers are not expected to provide taping outside of the scope of their qualifications (Sports Level 1 = ankle / thumb taping).

If taping is required as part of injury rehabilitation, either a parent tapes the player, or clear instruction is provided to the trainer by the medical practitioner. The trainer has the right to decline if not comfortable.

Except in the case of an emergency (ie: provision of Ventolin in case of known asthma; Epipen in case of anaphylaxis), no medications, medical assistance or substances/sprays etc are to be provided by the Trainer to a player without the consent of the player’s parents/guardian.

To avoid doubt this does not include minor and routine assistance to a player such as stretching/rub down/ice assistance for a muscle strain, or similar type of injury which may be provided as a matter of course and without the need for consent of the player’s parents/guardian.

If the Coach or Trainer is concerned about a player’s fitness they may require the player to provide a medical certificate stating that they are fit to play, prior to resuming training / playing.

RISKS

Return to training / game day before medically advised can increase risk of further injury and/or chronic injury.

Trainers risk potential litigation should treatments/medication be provided without parent/guardian consent (Note: consent in this instance is included in player medical forms)

RESPONSIBILITIES

Parents/Players:

Players (or parents) must notify their coach and or trainer of any changes in circumstances (injury / health problem etc) that could place the player at greater risk.

Before games the responsibility for a player’s capacity to play the relevant game rests with the trainer. Trainers are advised to take a conservative management plan in their decision making. Parents are required to abide by this decision.

Any decision concerning injury management at training / game day is ultimately be made by the Trainer. Parents are requested to abide by this decision.

The cost of transportation and/or medical treatment is the responsibility of the parent/guardian.

In event of injury, if medical clearance is requested, it is required to be provided to the trainer/team manager prior to player return to training / match day.

Coach:

During games, in the event of an injury or injury/health concern, coaches and assistant coaches are to be guided by the Trainer concerning the player’s capacity to play the game.

Trainer :

Attendance at certified courses as outlined by the EFL, ideally prior to commencement of Round 1 competition.